Alpha Centauri Star of the Show in Falmouth Stakes
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Photo: Steve Davies/Racingfotos.com
Alpha Centauri wins the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket
On a day when favorite-backers have struggled, Alpha Centauri ended the dry spell with a scintillating 4 1/2-length victory in the July 13 Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes (G1) for jockey Colm O'Donoghue and trainer Jessica Harrington, taking home a first prize of £113,420 (US$149,782) at Newmarket.
Sent off at 4-9, Alpha Centauri, who was rated 11 pounds higher than her six rivals, was immediately angled towards the favored stands' side rail by O'Donoghue and made most of the running, clearing away when asked two furlongs out and never looked like being caught.
She became the third Irish winner of the race in a row after Alice Springs in 2016 and Roly Poly in 2017.
The Niarchos family-owned filly was last seen forging clear to win the Coronation Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot by six lengths in a track-record time, and she was no less impressive this occasion, stamping herself as the best 3-year-old around of either sex this year.
Harrington said: "She's absolutely unbelievable. She was hacking along and quickened up—maybe she didn't win as far as she did at Ascot, but she had to do the donkey work today. She's amazing. She loves that ground and is just a fantastic horse. I'm very lucky to train her. The Flat is very important—it's financial, and the jumps are just fun!
"One race at a time, and we'll see what happens regarding the Breeders' Cup after today."
Roger Varian trainee Altyn Orda, who tracked Alpha Centauri along the rail for the majority of the contest and was the recipient of some each-way support before the race, came home in second, while Clemmie finished third.
Paddy Power shortened Alpha Centauri to a best-priced 5-1 (from 8) for the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) after the contest, a race Harrington suggested would be a future target after her Ascot success.